“We eloped.” Willow holds up her left hand to show off the diamond wedding ring I got her.
You could have heard a pin drop with the lack of noise or even reaction from either of our parents. We knew this would be tough news for them.
“In Hawaii?” My father asks, referring to the trip to the islands Willow and I just got back from.
“Yes, but we didn’t plan it,” Willow says.
I try not to make a face, but when I planned mine and Willow's trip to Hawaii to celebrate our anniversary, I had hoped I could talk her into it. I knew that our families would make planning a wedding a nightmare and could have driven a wedge between us. I couldn't let that happen. After that dream I had of us standing on the beach, I couldn't get that image out of my mind. I needed to make that fantasy a reality.
“There’s something else that we didn’t plan but are very excited about.” I rest my hand over Willow’s belly. She’s not showing yet, but it’s obvious to everyone what I mean.
“This is a lot of information to take in all at once,” Mr. Holloway says, looking at his wife. But she has a grin spread wide across her face.
“I can’t believe it!” She says, jumping up and pulling Willow into her arms for a hug.
I look at my mother, wanting to make sure this news wasn’t going to do anything to her heart. But she has the same smile on her face. She stands up and pulls me into her arms before hugging Willow. My father stands and shakes my hand. I turn to Mr. Holloway. He’s already on his feet with a look that might have made a lesser man scared. But I stand my ground.
“I know that this isn’t what you had in mind for Willow.”
"No." He shakes his head. "But we raised her to know her own mind and go for what she wants in life. And that includes you." He holds out his hand to me and gives me a half-smile.
“Thank you, sir.” I take his hand.
"I would have liked the chance to walk her down the aisle, though."
"I know." I nod. "But we thought that maybe after the baby is born, we could have another ceremony with everyone."
“I’d like that.”
Willow comes over and wraps her arms around my waist, and I pull her close. We watch as our parents congratulate each other on the good news. Tension still lingers, and we'd be crazy to think that it would disappear, but it's apparent that they are trying.
“Did you ever think you’d see the day?” Willow asks quietly, looking at our dads sitting down and talking to one another, while our moms show each other pictures of their other grandkids on their phones.
“No.” I shake my head. “It took forever to get here, but I wouldn’t change a moment since it means I get to have you in my arms.”
“Both of us.” She pats her belly. “Speaking of which, your child wants a peach fritter or two.”
“That’s my boy.”
“Or girl.” Willow smiles.
“Maybe both.” I wiggle my eyebrows and kiss her lips.
* * *
